I think Pat's point might be that UK spelling differentiates between a
tool
for measurement (e.g. micrometer, pronounced my-KRAH-muh-ter) and a unit
(or
subunit) of measurement (e.g. micrometre, pronounced MY-kroh-mee-ter). US
English merges the two spellings and therefore provides no visible
differentiation of the two classes of words.
As for America's mighty rise to power, I think our current situation is
reminiscent of these descriptive words of a famous British historian:
"In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome
comprehended
the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilised portion of mankind.
The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown
and
disciplined valour. The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners
had gradually cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful
inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The
image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the
Roman
senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the
emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period
(A.D.
98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was
conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the
two
Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding chapters,
to
describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from
the
death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of
its
decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still
felt by the nations of the earth."
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter 1
----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 10:00 AM
Subject: [USMA:34531] Re: spelling
Daniel Jackson, 17 September 2005:
>...The common mispronunciation of key-low-me-ter as kill-om-et-er
> is directly a result of the mis-spelling of the word.
This is not true at all -- the spelling metre vs. meter does not
affect which syllables are accented. "killAHmeter" is perfectly
consistent with many other English words (e.g., hygrometer,
odometer, spectrometer, thermometer).
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